Pickford is the man in possession after helping England reach the World Cup semi-finals for only the fourth time this summer.
Thomas Tuchel spoke of his admiration for both Trafford and Henderson after he was appointed England manager in 2024.
Trafford made his England debut in the 1-1 draw with Uruguay in March but Pickford played every minute of the World Cup until the game against France, when Henderson started.
In doing so he surpassed Peter Shilton’s England record of 17 World Cup appearances, ending the tournament on 19.
After England defeated Mexico in the World Cup last 16 earlier this month, former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson said: “I think he’s the first name on the team sheet. There is nobody else.”
Pickford has made 14 appearances at European Championships, while he has saved four of the 14 penalties he has faced in major tournament shoot-outs, guiding England to wins against Colombia in the 2018 World Cup and against Switzerland in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024.
The former Sunderland player has been consistent over nine campaigns with Everton, winning the club’s player-of-the-season award three times in a row as they battled relegation between 2021 and 2024.
The 32-year-old has played 362 Premier League games in total, keeping 98 clean sheets and saving almost 70% of the shots he has faced – including 86% from outside the box.
Over the past two seasons, only Arsenal’s David Raya has kept more Premier League clean sheets.
Pickford also won the competition’s save-of-the-season award for a second time last season following a remarkable reactionary stop, external from Sandro Tonali’s volley to secure Everton’s 3-2 win at St James’ Park in February.







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